JOB DESCRIPTION & RESPONSIBILITY STATEMENT
1. POST TITLE:
Talent Identification Officer
2. SALARY:
£25,000 + package per annum
3.
Fixed term contract from 1st April 2010 to 31St March 2013 – (subject
to Government Spending Review in 2011)
CONTRACT:
4. LOCATION:
Ravenhill Rugby Grounds, Belfast
5. WORKING PATTERN
The role will require the TID Officer to discharge their duties under a 5/7 working
arrangement that will involve regular evening and weekend work. The work programme
will be agreed with the High Performance Manager and Operations Manager.
6. ROLE AND PURPOSE OF POSITION
The Talent Identification Officer will be responsible for the delivery of the Ulster
Rugby/IRFU (Ulster Branch) Talent Identification and Development Strategy and will
work with all relevant stakeholders to introduce and implement policies, programmes
and practices that will improve the way in which young talented performers in Rugby are
identified, selected and developed.
7. REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS
Ulster Rugby High Performance Manager (HPM) & IRFU (Ulster Branch) Operations
Manager (OM)
8. MANAGES
No direct reports
9. RESPONSIBILITIES
- In conjunction with the HPM and OM organise and co-ordinate the Ulster Rugby/IRFU
(Ulster Branch) Talent Programme in line with IRFU policy and deliver the Ulster
Rugby/IRFU (Ulster Branch) Talent Identification and Development Strategy.
- Co-ordinate and manage all aspects of the under 16 and under 17 schools and youth
Regional Development Squad programme including the recruitment of suitable
coaching and management teams, liaison with schools and clubs regarding the
nomination process and ensuring that all venues are booked for use by the squads.
- Liaise with the HPM, OM and Coach Development Manager (CDM) to provide targeted
and appropriate education and continuing professional development to all staff and
volunteers involved with the Ulster Rugby/IRFU (Ulster Branch) Talent Programme.
- In association with Ulster Rugby Academy Staff and Ulster Branch Coach Development
Officers develop a programme for delivery by the RDS management teams and
monitor its implementation by the coaches.
- Work with the Ulster Rugby Academy staff to co-ordinate a programme of quarterly
player assessment camps for identified players within the Ulster Rugby/IRFU (Ulster
Branch) Talent Programme.
- Develop and manage a network of Talent Advisors who will provide feedback to the
Talent Identification Officer in relation to players both within and outside of the Ulster
Rugby/IRFU (Ulster Branch) Talent Programme.
- In association with Ulster Academy staff make nominations to the management of
Ulster Age Grade representative teams.
- Create and manage systems to ensure that the details of all participants involved
within the Ulster Rugby/IRFU (Ulster Branch) Talent Programme are accurately
recorded and maintained.
- Establish and maintain relationships with all clubs and schools in relation to the Ulster
Rugby/IRFU (Ulster Branch) Talent Programme and ensure that they are kept informed
as to the progress of any of their players involved within the programme.
- Maintain a working relationship with all relevant club and school coaches and ensure
regular communication to optimise knowledge exchange in relation to talent
identification and development.
- Increase the profile and understanding of the talent programme to all stakeholders
and the wider Ulster Rugby public
- Ensure all activities are conducted within budget and secure maximum value for
money in the most cost-effective manner at all times.
10. PERFORMANCE MEASURES
i) RUGBY:
- Drive development opportunities to increase the quality of players within the player
development pathway
- Regional Development Squad programme operating successfully with the full support
of clubs and schools
- Monitoring the identification of player progression through development
pathways.
- Regularly review Talent Identification and Development programme and produce
recommendations for improvements as required.
ii) OPERATIONS:
- Delivery of Ulster Rugby /IRFU(Ulster Branch) programmes to agreed quantity and
quality.
- Implementation of a provincial Talent Identification and Development strategy, in line
with IRFU policy, which ensures the flow of indigenous talent into the Ulster Academy.
- Delivery of Ulster Rugby /IRFU(Ulster Branch) Player Development programmes to
agreed quantity and quality.
- Ensure all programmes operate to both time and budgetary constraints.
iii) PROFESSIONAL APPROACH:
- Maintain high profile within clubs and schools through visits, seminars and other rugby
public occasions and conferences.
- Provide early warning of projects and programmes that are falling behind target or
over-running budget.
- Project a positive and professional image of the Ulster Rugby /IRFU(Ulster Branch) at all
times.
11. DOUBLE EMPLOYMENT
The Talent Identification Officer is prohibited from any involvement in any club or school
in either a playing or coaching capacity.
This Job Description is an outline of the main duties and responsibilities of the post. It is not
an exclusive or exhaustive list and will be updated to reflect the changing needs of the
organisation.
PERSONNEL SPECIFICATION
ESSENTIAL
QUALIFICATIONS
 *Degree or equivalent 3rd level qualification which can be
proven relevant to the post or 5 years full-time experience
(or part time equivalent) working in an environment that
can be proven relevant to the post
 *IRFU Accredited Level 1 coaching qualification or
equivalent
EXPERIENCE
 *2 years full time experience (or part time equivalent) in an
environment that involves the identification and
development of talented sports people
 *Demonstrable experience of working directly with
athletes including planning and managing their progression
across a number of stages of development
 *Demonstrable experience in planning, developing,
implementing and monitoring development programmes
 Proven experience in resource allocation and the
management of budgets.
KNOWLEDGE
 Knowledge and understanding of Irish rugby.
 Knowledge and understanding of the Long Term Player
Development model.
 Applied technical knowledge of rugby which can be
demonstrated in management decisions across coaching
and player development
DESIRABLE
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SKILLS
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Higher degree in sports or management related
discipline
**IRFU Level 2 Attended coaching qualification
High level experience in the sports industry as a
player, coach or administrator.
**3 years coaching experience at LTPD Stage 3-5
An understanding of legislation relevant to sports
organisations to include child protection, health
and safety, data protection, equity etc.
**Experience of working with and managing
volunteers
Knowledge of the developmental pathways for
rugby players.
Knowledge of specific preparation needs of
players and coaches.
Knowledge of the Irish sporting agencies’
structures and services (ISC, Sport NI, Coaching
Ireland etc.)
Knowledge and understanding of ongoing
research regarding Talent ID and development in
a global context
Organisational ability - for self and others.
 Project Management skills (lead and support
Ability to critically review performance process and deliver
roles).
a quality outcome.
 Ability to influence others positively.
 Excellent written and verbal communication / presentation
skills.
 Clarity in decision-making.
 Well-developed time-management skills, including the
ability to set and meet deadlines and to prioritise work.
 Ability to work alone and as part of a team.
 Computer-literate and competent in the use of information
technology.
PERSONAL QUALITIES
 Ability to gain the confidence, respect and trust of others.
 Willingness and desire to entertain new ideas and
 Integrity and honesty.
seize opportunities.
 Committed, enthusiastic and motivated.
 Ability to think creatively and understand a wider
 Willingness to accept and encourage constructive
context.
challenges.
 Flexible and adaptable to circumstances.
 Ability to work within a team environment.
 Willingness to seek personal development opportunities.
CIRCUMSTANCES
 *Access to a form of transport insured for business use that
will permit the post holder to meet the requirements of the
post in full.
 *Available to work unsociable hours including evenings and
week-ends.
IMPORTANT NOTE: This position prohibits the involvement of the post-holder in any Club or School in either a playing or
coaching capacity.
Only those applicants who display relevant qualifications and experience of the essential criteria marked * will go forward to
the next stage of the recruitment process. The panel reserve the right to enhance criteria to facilitate short listing, these are
indicated with **. All offers of employment subject to successful Access Northern Ireland check.